James “Jim” Harley Ehlers, of Seward, was born May 19, 1945, to Henry and Lucille (Varner) Ehlers and passed away June 28, 2022, at his home in Seward at the age of 77.
He was a 1963 graduate of Seward High School. On June 22, 1968, Jim was united in marriage to Frances “Fran” Slavik in Ulysses. Jim worked as a tractor mechanic for Beckler Implement, a bricklayer for Kingery Construction and served in the United States Navy as a Seabee from 1969 to 1971. He retired after 23 years as a driver for UPS. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and camping. Jim was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and belonged to the Seward American Legion Post #33, The Teamsters, Seward Baseball Association, Blue Valley Bass Club and the Seward Jaycees.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lucille Ehlers and his brother, Dick Ehlers. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Fran Ehlers of Seward; daughter, Jessie (Jorge) Andazola of Lincoln; son, Matthew (Katie) Ehlers of Austin, Texas; brother, Roger (Marie) Ehlers of Seward; sister, Betty Bluhm of Lincoln; many beloved nieces and nephews and a host of lifelong friends. He was a proud grandfather of five – Alex Andazola, Mia Andazola, Aiyana Andazola, Colton James Andazola and Lily James Ehlers.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward with committal in the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ehlers family. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
